Greatest Job in the World

So...let's talk for a minute about how much I love my job. Last week, I got to attend an author panel at Cambridge Public Library, "Diversity in Young Adult Literature", and it was considered work! This national tour of authors, which was spearheaded by Cindy Pon and Malinda Lo, traveled around the country, and featured local and guest YA authors. So, last week, I got to listen to (and meet!!) Cindy Pon, Malinda Lo, Holly Black, Sarah Rees Brennan, Deva Fagan and Francisco X. Stork. And can I tell you, what an amazing experience. It was slightly overwhelming however, now I want to read all of their books ASAP. So, I just have to give a shout-out to YA Literature & YA Authors. You make me proud to be a YA Librarian!

If Wishes Grew on Trees....

...the Celtics would still be in the playoffs, I wouldn't be able to afford Sox tickets, because they would be first in their division. Alas, I don't have endless wishes on hand, but what would I wish for if I really had 3 wishes? Enter Viola & Jinn in the Young Adult Novel As You Wish by Jackson Pearce.

I recently finished, Sisters Red, another Jackson Pearce book and I have to say that I love her writing style. That being said, my feelings about As You Wish are mixed. Overall, I enjoyed it, and I would recommend it to readers. It a fun, easy read with a happy ending, but I wish Viola had been a little stronger, and believed in herself a little more. I'm not sure what I thought about the dual narration (Jinn & Viola alternate chapters). Sometimes it jarred me a little, and seemed discordant, then other times, I didn't even notice that the narrative perspective had switched. I did like a lot of the secondary characters, and I think Pearce does a good job capturing the high school experience. Also, it's kind of nice to read a supernatural romance that has nothing to do with werewolves, fairies, zombies or vampires!   

Getting my Game on!

OK, Celtics. Win or lose, I admire you as a team, and I'm totally rooting for you, but I have to pay my respects to your elders. I just finished When the Game Was Ours by Larry Bird, Earvin (Magic) Johnson Jr. and Jackie MacMullen. Here's a synopsis from the Publisher
  
"From the moment these two players took the court on opposing sides, they engaged in a fierce physical and psychological battle. Their uncommonly competitive relationship came to symbolize the most compelling rivalry in the NBA. These were the basketball epics of the 1980s--Celtics vs Lakers, East vs West, physical vs finesse, Old School vs Showtime, even white vs black. Each pushed the other to greatness--together Bird and Johnson collected 8 NBA Championships, and 6 MVP awards and helped save the floundering NBA at its most critical time. When it started they were bitter rivals, but along the way they became lifelong friends." 

Whew! Talk about intense. I found myself really enjoying this book. I know, I seem to be on a roll with the sports non-fiction. Anyway, if you're a fan of basketball, or just want to know more about these two dynamic, larger-than-life rivals, this is the book for you. I highly recommend this!